Why the office lady dances

THE ONLINE shoe shop called Shoes Republic was already doing decent business for five years, but now its Facebook page has more than 50,000 followers, so Achara Pattanapaisarn and her Japanese partner Ito Makiko have plenty to keep them busy maintaining a creative community for trendy gals.

The website had its origins in another called OL Republic, for the office ladies, which offered tips and ideas about health, beauty, cooking and more in an easy-to-understand way.

That spun off Shoes Republic in 2010, where all categories of high-quality footwear from Japan are available, and its success in turn led to the opening of a modest showroom on Sukhumvit Soi 2 where Makiko advises customers about getting the perfect fit.

“I met Makiko while studying in Japan,” Achara says. “While running our website, we realised that women need more shoes that are comfortable as well as beautiful. Makiko is a shoe fitter, so she gives customers recommendations based on the shape of their feet.”

The pair insists on good design, comfort and reasonable prices. They unveil new editions every month in two lines – Urban Habit high heels and casual shoes and Loop shoes for more formal events. Everything is quite colourful, mainly pastel, and playful in the details, in soft and flexible polyester, micro-fibres and synthetic and genuine leather.

The comfort comes primarily from the soft uppers and flexible, odour-absorbing soles, the high heels given extra cushioning. “Our shoes have the best materials to make them comfortable, including holes punched in the soles for extra ventilation,” Makiko says.

The shoes are lightweight, easy to clean and come in sizes 22.5 to 25.5 centimetres (34 to 41).

On the shelves right now are the new Rain heels made from “glass leather” with waterproof soles, and Sofa synthetic-leather shoes with removable soles, plus moccasins, boots and slippers.

Shoes Republic footwear is also sold at Isetan, and will be augmented soon with a line of trendy bags.

SHOO-INS

>>>The Shoes Republic showroom is in the Ploymitr Building on Sukhumvit Soi 2 and open weekdays from 4 to 7pm.